Brazilian put pen-to-paper with Spurs before making Blues switch.
In an extraordinary revelation, The Times claim that Willian signed a contract with Tottenham three days before officially joining Chelsea.
It was widely reported that the Brazilian underwent a medical at Spurs but it appears the playmaker put pen-to-paper and shook hands with Tottenham officials in a signing ceremony at Kia Joorabchian’s restaurant.
Later that week, the 26-year-old claimed it was a ‘dream’ to join Chelsea.
The dramatic hi-lack remains a source of tension between the London rivals and has fuelled the rivalry between the two Portuguese managers ahead of Saturday’s meeting at White Hart Lane.
Andre Villas-Boas, who is understood to be friendly with Willian having tried to sign the midfielder when in charge at Chelsea and from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer, was confident of landing the Anzhi Makhachkala player in a £29m deal.
Willian had chatted with the 35-year-old about plans for the new season and how he would fit into the team, as well as using the gym at Tottenham’s state of the art training complex.
But days later the Spurs head-coach could only watch on, as his former mentor Jose Mourinho goaded Spurs after Wilian’s apparent change of heart.
With an outline agreement between Spurs and Anzhi in place and the contract signed, Willian was shocked to be told he must venture across London to talk to Chelsea.
The Blues offered him more money and reports in Russia suggested that Roman Abramovich had intervened with Anzhi’s Russian owner Suleiman Kerimov.
Mourinho pleased innocent to the exact details of the story on Friday and just insisted he was happy to have such a talented player.
“I don’t know the story,” said Mourinho. “The only thing I know is that the kid wants to play for Chelsea and made it very, very clear. Chelsea were trying to get him for two years, and Willian always felt very connected with that move and was frustrated when that move couldn’t happen.
“I was just asked about the quality of the player and if I’d like to have him with me, and of course I said yes.”
Spurs later signed Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela, both of whom have made strong starts to their careers at White Hart Lane.
Willian, meanwhile, has struggled to force his way past Chelsea’s host of attacking midfielders and is yet to feature in the Premier League for the club.
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